Therapeutic Potentials of IL-10 versus IL-12

Abstract

Cytokines are low molecular weight proteins having roles in essential biological processes, particularly for the immune system. As they have a key role to play, an abnormality in their function can lead to wide variety of diseases (clinical consequences). Thus using the cytokines as therapeutic targets has been an area of active research. Of the entire family, we would like to shed light on two major ones IL-10 and IL-12 having an array of roles in cellular response to infection and autoimmunity. IL-12 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that has been shown to enhance IFN-γ producing T cell responses and has been widely tested as a vaccine adjuvant. Many studies have shown that IL-12 acts as a link between innate and adaptive immunity by inducing IFN-γ production and polarizing naive CD4 T cells to become Th1 cells. It also has roles in CD8 T cell differentiation. On the other hand, IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine and has role in maturation of memory CD8 T-cell. It also plays a critical role in preventing autoimmunity and also limits tissue injury by interfering with the intensity and duration of immune response. We would thus like to discuss in details about the therapeutic use of these cytokines for infections as well as diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders etc